Just days after Little League International denounced Goffstown manager Jeff O'Connell's decision not to play his last substitute in the New England Regional semifinals last Friday in Bristol, Conn.,...

Bishop Guertin's Jackson Housman is tackled by Central's Gino Otero during the Queen City Football Jamboree held at Gill Stadium in Manchester on Friday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

PERHAPS no player was more impressive in Friday night’s Queen City Jamboree than Goffstown HIgh running back Connor Bourque, who scored twice in Goffstown’s 15-0 triumph over Timberlane of Plaistow.

Bourque, a junior, gained 108 yards on seven carries, and scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Matt Collins. Bourque’s other TD came on a 47-yard run.

Goffstown's Connor Bourque breaks though Timberlane's defence to score a touchdown during the Queen City Football Jamboree held at Gill Stadium in Manchester on Friday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

“I wish we would have done a better job blocking for him, but he showed what he had,” Goffstown coach Justin Hufft said. “He’s an explosive player. He’s a smart, tough kid too, Can’t have too many of those guys.”

Goffstown played without starting quarterback Casey Gervais, who suffered a separated shoulder (throwing arm) during a scrimmage against Trinity of Manchester. Collins, who played wide receiver and defensive back last season, didn’t begin taking snaps in practice until Wednesday.

“He’s played quarterback before, but not this year,” Hufft said. “Matt Collins is an extremely smart, cerebral player. The fact that we were able to do as much as we did with him is a testament to how hard he works.”

Memorial's #7 is stopped by West's Jayson Talbot, left, with help from Davie Pena during the Queen City Football Jamboree held at Gill Stadium in Manchester on Friday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)

SOPHOMORE quarterback Justin Grassini stood out in Merrimack’s victory over Souhegan. Grassini, who was the team’s punter last season, tossed three TD passes against the Sabers. He hit Ian Roberts with a 55-yard TD pass, connected with Kyle Talbot for an 11-yard scoring play and hit Andy DeGregorio with a 27-yard TD pass.

“I think he’s a talented kid who continues to get better,” Merrimack coach Dante Laurendi said. “He’s very smooth and collected for his age. I think he’s got a lot of potential.”

AUSTIN HOMSEY kick-started Salem by returning the opening kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown, and also caught a 44-yard TD pass from quarterback John Cerrentani to highlight the Blue Devils victory.

“He worked so hard in the offseason,” Salem coach Rob Pike said when he was asked about Homsey, a senior tight end/outside linebacker. “He got himself a lot faster and a lot stronger. He’s come into camp as the physical and emotional leader of our team and I expect a great year from him.”

WEST received two touchdown passes from Zach Allard in its loss to Memorial, which led 20-0 at one point. Isaac Velez scored twice for Memorial, which also received a 28-yard TD run from Daquan Henclewood.

West, which competed in Division I last season, has made the move to Division II.

“I think we’ll be a bit more competitive in Division II,” West coach Vance Sullivan said. “Going down a level should help us. It’s usually the overall enrollment that usually gets you.”

CHASE HUGHES returned a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown in BG’s triumph over Central. BG also received a 7-yard TD run from Jackson Housman, and 8-yard TD run from Kelvin Rivera and an 18-yard TD pass from quarterback Jordan Hiscoe to Matt Theriault.Both teams are ranked in the Union Leader/WGIR/WMUR Preseason Power Poll. BG is No. 6, and Central is tied with Portsmouth at No. 10.

T.J. URBANIK scored on a 9-yard run, and quarterback Jack Hanaway hooked up with Riley Cahill for a 44-yard TD pass in Pinkerton’s victory.

The game featured the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Power Poll. No. 1 Concord beat No. 2 Pinkerton in last year’s Division I championship game.

Roger Brown covers high school football for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Follow him on Twitter: @603sportsmedia.